Timing mechanism for automatic oil-pumping systems.



w. M. STEPHENSON. TIMING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC OIL PUMPING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, I913.

Patented May 9,1916.

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TIMING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC OIL PUMPING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, 1913.

Patented May 9, 1916.

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ATTORNEYS WITNESSES 1 W. M. STEPHENSON. TIMING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC. OIL PUMPING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED N0V.3I19l3.

k INVENTOH mi N i I WI TNESSES N, 777. J'zepfienson BY fi ATTORNEY WILLIAM M. STEPHENSON, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

TIMING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC OILPUMPING SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9', 1916 Application filed November 3, 1913. Serial N 0. 798,813. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. STEPH- ENSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, Dallas county, State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Timing Mechanism for Automatic Oil-Pumping Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful timing mechanism for automatic pumping systems and is in part an improvement over certain elements contained in a previous invention relating to pumping systems, an application for United States Letters Patent having been heretofore filed in the United States Patent Ofiice on the 6th day of September A. D. 1913, under Serial No. 788,483, covering said previous invention.

In the pending application above referred to, the pumping system involves a number of electrical circuits and controlling elements, its primary controlling element being located in the bottom of the well and communicating with the surface through an electrical circuit.

In the said previous application, protection was sought covering a combination of all the elements comprising the system, and embodied means for alternately produclng a pressure and vacuum in the lowerportions of the well.

In the present improvements and application is shown a .novel mechanism for controlling the alternate action of a pressure and vacuum directed into a well. The entire mechanism being above the surface of the ground. This renders the mechanism accessible and free from deteriorating effects such as are necessarily encountered in the bottom of an oil well.

The present invention relates to means, correlated with a well casing, foropening 'and closing an electric circuit, the action being dependent upon the rise of liquid in the well casing.

It further provides a system of valves correlated with a source of air pressure and vacuum, all of which combines to form an eliicient means for timing the action of the pumping period, and all of which is dependent upon the rise of the oil in the well. It is therefore a purpose of the present application to secure protectionupon that part of the pumping systemrwhich controls the time and periods of the discharge of the oil from a well.

'VVith the above and other objects in View the invention has relation to certain novei features of construction and operation, an example of which is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of the mechanism, shown 'mounted upon a table or suitable support and arranged adjacent to the head of a well casing with which it correlates. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the mechanism, the view being taken from the reverse side of that shown in Fig. 1 and including only those parts above the table. Fig, 3 is a plan view of the mechanism. Fig. 4 is a view of a well casing with which my present invention is adapted to correlate. Fig. 5 is a view of a device adapted to communicate with the bottom of the well casing. Primarily it controls the opening and closing of an electric circuit, the action of which depends upon the rise of the oil in the lower portion ofthe well. Fig. 6 is a view taken upon the line nn of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a view taken upon the line mm of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a solenoid and parts correlated with the solenoid. Fig. 9 is a partial view of Fig. 8, the section being taken upon the line 3 y. Fig. 10 is a view taken upon the line wa2 of Fig. 3, showing the disposition of a valve and correlated parts. Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the valve shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an end view of a three way valve and correlated parts embodied in the invention. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the valve illustrated in Fig. 12, the section being taken upon the line bb fFig. 1. Fig. 14 is a view in section of an automatic ram device embodied in this invention. F ig;

15 is a sectional view of a certain valve embodied in the invention.

Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a vertical standard fixed in a flange 2 and mounted upon the table A. Upon the upper extremity of the standard beams 3 are centrally pivoted as shown at 4. In the plan view the beams are shown to be arranged in pairs and one of each pair disposed upon either side of the standard.

The extremities of the beams 3 carry a pair of vertical struts 5, the lower extremities of which carry beams 6, which are spaced from and parallel to the beams 3.

As indicated by the numeral 7 the correlated struts and beams are pivotally linked together. One of the struts 5 carries fixed thereon a receptacle 8 adapted at times to receive Water or other fluid, While the other strut member carries 'a counterbalance weight 9. The beams of the structure just assembled in description assume a normally inclined position and are adapted to be returned to said inclined position through the agency of the weight member 9, should any outside force or influence overcome the assumed' normal position. It is seen that the structure just described may oscillate about its axis 4 without affecting the vertical position of the receptacle 8. The downward displacement of the weight member 9 and correlated parts is limited by an arm 3, which is fixed to the standard 1 and extends outward and beneath one of the beams. The beams, as seen, normally rest upon this suport. p A solenoid 10 is mounted upon the table and arranged in parallel proximity to one extremity of the oscillating structure. Upon the outer and end face of the solenoid is fixed a pair of spring clip members 10 with arcuate portions 10". Spaced from the solenoid and-arranged parallel to the oscillating structure is mounted, in support brackets 11 which are fixed upon the table,

atube 12, as best seen in Figs. 8 and 9. A'

solenoid core 13 has one extremity loosely retained in the solenoid 10. Near the extremity of the core portion confined in the solenoid 10 is formed a pair of oppositely disposed grooves 13. The faces of these grooves are of an arcuate form, similar to the contour of the resilient members 10*. The sliding core 13 is of considerable length and has integrally formed therewith an elongated flattened portion 14,which is rectangular in cross section. Integrally formed with the portion 14 is another cylindrical rod 15, similar to the one adapted to actuate in the solenoid. The rod 15 is adapted to be slidably mounted in the guideway tube 12. The core 13 carries a shoulder 16 faced with a resilient washer 17. The core 13 is seen to be normally outwardly spaced in relation to the solenoid. The resilient washer 17 is adapted to relieve the impact when the core rushes into the solenoid. Theportion 15 of the sliding core isseen to have a length substantially the same as that of the 'guideway tube 12, and in normal position has its entirety slidably carried in said guide tube. A tube 18 of less length than the tube 12 is slidably carried upon the tube 12. The tube 18 is adapted to be limited, in its reciprocatory motion upon the tube 12, by the brackets 11. Referring particularly to Fig. 9 the tubes 12,:1nd 18 respectively are seen to have longitudinal slots 19 and 20 of substantial length, and which are seen to registhreaded into the rod 15 and passes through the slots 19 and 20. Said pin is adapted to pass freely through the slots. Upon the outermost bracket 11 is mounted a resilient bifurcated-contact member-21. In proximity to this last mentioned member, but mounted upon the slidable tube 18 and over a portion of the slot 19 of said tube, is fixed a contact member 22, which is adapted to lie in contact between the furcations of the member 21. The numeral 23 design'ates positive insulation interposed between the members 22 and 18. The flattened portion 14 of the solenoid core carries an elongated rectangular slot 24. A rectangular aperture 25 is also formed in the member 14 and adjacent to one extremity of the slot 24. Upon one'of' the upper beams, and concentrically depending from the pivot point 4, is fixed an actuating arm 26, adapted to enter and freely 'move through the entire length of the slot 24. It is therefore seen how the solenoid core may have displacement in one direction without affecting the position normally assumed by the oscillating beams and correlated parts.

In Fig. l is shown the head of the casingof the well, in conjunction with which this invention works. Fig. 4 shows the well in detail.

A well casing 27 extends the usual depth till connection is had with the oil bearing strata. In proximity to the bottom of the casing is suspended-therein, by pipes later explained, a short section of pipe 28. This pipe, as will later be seen, is adapted to pertacle and communicating with the surface of the earth. The lower extremity of the pipe 33 carries an inverted pressure drum 34, the said pressure drum is adapted to receive a smal portion of the oil as it enters and fills the receptacle.

It is seen how the volume of air bounded by the pressure member 34 will be confined inthe said member and correlated pipe 33 when the oil has risen to the bottom of the drum 34 and begins-to enter same.

"Referring to Fig. 1, the pipe 33 is seen 'to extend from the head of the well and directly communicate with a pressure registering device 35, which is mounted upon the table. This device in communication with the receptacle 28 is the primary controlling element of the timing mechanism. This device as used in this invention is a modified form of the well known pressure gage. A

brief description of this device will now follow, reference-being had to Figs; 5, 6 and 7.

The casing of the pressure register receives the pipe 33, said pipe communicating interiorly with an expansion vein 36. This member is concentrically located with respect to a pintle 37 journaled in the side walls of the casing. An arm 37 is fixed upon the pintle and carries a counter weight 38 upon one extremity, while the other extremity of the arm passes through an elongated slot 39 in the casing. The outer extremity of the arm carries two depending dip rods 40 suspended and connected with each other by a wire 41. The pintle 37 carries fixed, just below the arm 37, a pinion 42. Engaging this pinion is a segmental gear rack 43, which is pivoted upon a pin 44. A link establishes a connection between the outer and free extremities of the members 43 and 36. Just below the arm 37 and pivoted at 47 upon the casing is shown a bell crank 48. One arm lies across the slot 39 which is in the path of the arm 37.

The depending arm of said crank has fixed to its lower extremity a weight 49. A description of the operation of the parts just described will at length develop. Spaced at intervals about the periphery of the casing is shown a number of screws 46 threaded in the casing. These screws are seen to be closely adjusted to the expansion vein, but do not contact said member. It is seen how, if pressure is led through the pipe 33 into the expansion vein, the outer end of said vein will be slowly and outwardly displaced. This will, through the agency of the correlated parts 45, 43, 42 and 37, cause a downward displacement of the dip rods 40.

Arranged directly beneath the dip rods 7 40 is shown two mercury cups 50, said cups are spaced one from another, therefore, are insulated one from the other. One side of an electrical circuit B is shown leading from one cup 50 and includinga number of storage batteries C, terminating at the contact member 21. The other side of said circuit leads from the other cup 50 through the solenoid 10, thence to the contact members 21 and 22. An electrical circuit has now been established which will control the timing mechanism and is very economical in current consumption and which is normally kept open between the two mercury cups.

Provision for closing the circuit B at the desired time is had through the pressure register member 35 and its correlated parts.

A description will now be given of the valves that control the flow of the air pressure and vacuum into the receptacle of the well.

A three way valve 51 is mounted in proximity to the vertical standard 1, the valve core 52 being fixed to a depending control arm 53. The lower extremity of the arm 53, as shown in Fig. 10 is loosely retained in the aperture 25 of the member 14. It will be understood that the solenoid core, hence the portion 14, is subjected to rapid displacement in a horizontal plane, this action, as will be seen, will control the mechanism through the agency of the valve 51. The valve 51 is mounted upon a T 54, said T fixed to a flange 55 and permanently mounted upon the table A.

A cylindrical tube 56 with closed top and a separate flanged bottom 57 is mounted upon the table. This tube slidably retains a ram device 58, said ram is adapted to upward displacement from its assumed normal position, as will later be seen.

A cylinder 58 with a long neck flanged bottom 59 is mounted upon the table. A piston 60 with apiston rod 61 is adapted to reciprocate in the cylinder. A shoulder or collar 62 is fixed upon the piston rod to limit the downward displacement of the piston. This element just described is preferably termed an air motor and is adapted to control the primary flow of air pressure and vacuum into the receptacle 28 of the well.

It should now be understood that the air motor 58* will be controlled by'the three way valve 51 to which reference has been previously made.

Fixed underneath the surface of the table and arranged adjacent to the air motor is shown a large three way valve 63 Which is correlated with the air motor. A bracket 64 permanently fixes the valve to the table. A control arm 65, fixed upon the axis of the core 66 has its extremities loosely confined in a slot 67 of the piston rod 61. It will now be understood and later seen how the piston rod 61 of the air motor will subject the valve core 66 to a quarter turn'about its axis.

The controlling relation of the air motor over the valve 63 is clearly seen.

A controlling relation of the valve 51 over the air motor, hence over the valve 63 will now be described: A pipe line 68 connects the top portion of the valve 51 to the top of the air motor 58*. A line of pipe 69 connects the T 54 with the bottom of the cylinder and has its opening directly disposed beneath the piston. A pipe 70 enters the valve 51 and, as will later be seen, furnishes a constant air pressure from an outside source.

A relation of control over the air motor has been shown, the operation of same will later be seen.

The relation of the three way valve 63 to the well will now be developed.

A pipe line 71 leads from the valve to the head of the receptacle, where it opens directly into said receptacle. A pipe line 72 I communicates the valve with the lower extremity of the ram casing. A pipe 7 2 communicates with the ram casing 56. The pipe 72 is intended as a source of vacuum. In actual practice this line is connected with an air exhauster or other means for a continuous exhaustion, and as said means forms no part of the claims and relates only in a general way to this invention, it has not been illustrated in the drawings. A pressure supply line 73 communicates with the valve, this pipe is intended to connect a source of air pressure and furnish a constant supply of pressure to the valve. As this source of pressure might be of different forms in different cases and as it forms no part of this invention, it is not illustrated in the drawings.

The pipe 70 has been referred to as means for furnishing pressure supply to the valve 51, said pipe is shown connected with the pressure supply line 73. It is now seen how pressure is directed toboth valves 51 and 63. A closed storage reservoir 74 is disposed beneath the table and has a pipe 75 leading upward from the bottom and terminating just above and within the receptacle 8. The end of the pipe 75, directed into said receptacle is fitted with a pet cock 76. A flexible connection, preferably a rubber hose, 77 connects the receptacle 8 and reservoir 74, communicating the receptacle 8 with the one 74. A check valve 77 with a port 77 and ball 7 7 is included in the rubber hose 77, as is best shown in Fig. 15. The ball 77 normally rests on a spider 77 This leaves the port 7 7 open, which allows any fluid to pass from the receptacle 8 by the ball and into the storage tank 74. The tank 74 contains a supply of light weight oil or other liquid as indicated by the numeral 74. A discharge pipe 78 communicates the liquid receptacle 28 with the surface of the ground and is adapted to convey the oil to a tank or suitable storage (no shown).

The description has covered the structure and assembly of the timing mechanism in general, leaving out the description of some few parts which comprise the prime controlling elements of the invention. A detailed description of these parts will now be given.

Figs. 1.0 and 11 illustrate a three way valve designed, as previously stated, to control a flow of compressed air to the air motor 58*. It will later be seen that the control arm 53 of said valve is adapted, through a correlated moving agency, to subject the core 52 of said valve to a quarter turn about its axis. The valve core 52 is seen to have the air passages 79 and 80, having their four respective openings equidistantly disposed about the periphery of said core. A port 81 is formed on the valve casing and opens to atmosphere. The normal position of the valve core as illustrated shows the passage 79 alining the pipe 69 with the exhaust port 81. This clearly illustrates how that portion of the cylinder 58", below the piston, is alined with the exhaust port 81. The passage 80 alines the pipes 7 O'and 68. The setting of the valve as just described clearly shows how the pressure from the supply line 73 is communicated to the top of the air motor, causing the piston to be in downward displaced position. It is seen that by a one quarter turn, counter clockwise, of the core 52 about its axis the air passages 79 and 80 will respectively change the course of pressure to the cylinder and exhaust therefrom. The position just referred to would aline the pipes 68 with the exhaust port 81, and also aline the pipe 69 with the pressure pipe 70.

A description of the three way valve 63 will now be given. It is understood that the pipe line 73, entering said valve, is a pressure supply line. The line 72 leads from said valveand communicates with the lower portion of the ram casing 56, and the pipe 71 communicates the valve 63 with the well 'receptacle 28. In the following detailed description, reference will be had to Figs. 1, 12 and 13.

The core 66 of the valve 63 has an arcuate passage 66 formed near its periphery. As will be seen the said passage carried by the core and operated by the control arm is adapted to normally register with the corresponding passages 82 and 83 in the casing. These passages 82 and 83 are seen to respectivelv communicate with the pipe lines 72 and '71. A passage 84 in the casing is normally, as illustrated in the drawings, terminated by the front face of the core 66. The passage 84 communicates with the pressure line 73.

By subjecting the valve core 66 to a counter clockwise quarter turn the respective alinement of the three pipe lines 71, 72 and 73 is changed. In this position the core passage 66 would register with the passages 84 and 83. The passage 82 would then be terminated by the face of the core 66. This latter position of the valve would directly aline the pipes 71 and 73, cutting out the pipe 72.

A detailed description of the ram device will follow, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 14: The cylinder 56 receives a check valve 85 of standard type. Said valve is provided with a pivoted vane 86 which normally closes an opening 87. The ram plunger 58, as illustrated in Fig. 1. is in a normally downward position. Fig. 14 illustrates the ram 58 in its uppermost limited position. The ram plunger 58 is provided with a longitudinal air passage 88 which terminates in its upper extremity in a 1101!- zontal passage 89. Located about midway between the extremities of the ram plunger a horizontal passage 90 is formed in the ram and communicates with the passage 88. It is here to be understood that the ram plunger 58 is slidable up and down in the cylinder 56. In its normal position, the passage 90 alines itself with the pipe 72", therefore, communicating the pipe 72 with 72*, or as has been previously stated, connected to a source of continuous vacuum. In its position as shown in Fig. 14, the ram plunger is in its upward position, which alines the passage 89 with the check valve 85. This position adapts the pipe 72 to communicate, through the ram plunger passages and check valve 85, to atmosphere.

The foregoing description has included the construction and assembly of the entire timing mechanism and has in some instances referred to the operation of the most important parts.

The following explanation will completely disclose the operation of the timing mechanism correlated with an oil well pumping system. It will show an economlcal consumption in .the use of compressed air, vacuum and electricity, these being the active agents employed in this system.

It will here be understood that a slow and continuous suction will be normally acting upon the receptacle 28 through the pipe 71. The well receptacle 28 is shown connected, throu h the valve 63 and the ram 58, with the plpe 72, hence to a vacuum supply. It is the purpose of this invention to allow this suction to continue till the oil rises in, the receptacle and then cut ofl" the vacuum and immediately pass a high atmospheric pressure through the pipe 71 into the receptacle and force the oil out the pipe 78.

When the oilbegins to rise, through the agency of natural flow or assisted and promoted by some unnatural cause, through the strainer pipe 30 into the receptacle, the air in the pressure drum 34 will be compressed. The pressure will be exerted throughout the length of the pipe 33 and will increase as the oil rises in the receptacle. As the pressure continues to rise, the arm 37 of the pressure register will be displaced downward and finally contact the bell crank arm 48. The bell crank and weight member 49 will temporarily retard the downward movement of the arm 37. Sufiicient increase of pressure will cause the bell crank to pivot out of the way and allow the dip rods 40 to be suddenly immersed in the mercury cups 50. This instantly closes the circuit B and energizes the solenoid 10 and attracts the core rod 13. The rod rushes into the solenoid and the resilient clips 10 immediately impinge the grooves 13 and firmly retain said rod. When the displacement of the solenoid core took place the circuit B was thereby stopping the electrical fiovw from the batteries C. The circuit B was broken through the agency of the in 19, on its inward movement subjecting t e slidable tube 18 to a lateral displacement thereby disengaging the contact members 21 and 22.

When the core rod was displaced, as above explained, it swung thecontrol arm 53 of the valve 51 about its axis and subjected the valve core 52 to a counter clockwise quarter turn, in respect to Fig. 11. This changed the setting of the valve and alined the pipe 68 with the exhaust port 81. The passage 80 alined the pressure pipe 70 with the lower portion of the air motor. The pressure immediately forced the piston 60 to the top of the cylinder. The piston rod 61 actuated the control arm 65 of the valve 63 and swung the core 66 about its axis for a quarter turn. This action cuts oil the line 72 and stops the suction in the well. At the same time the passage 66* alines the pipes 71 and 73. This last action adapts the pressure line 73 to immediately direct its'supply of compressed air into the receptacle 28. This pressure from the pipe line 71, which now enters the receptacle 28, exerts a downward pressure upon the oil volume contained in the receptacle 28 and starts the same to iise in the pipe 78 and discharge to the surace.

When the solenoid core was drawn into the solenoid, the elongated slot 24, which loosely retains the lower extremity of the actuating arm 26, passed freely along its course without disturbing the equilibrium of the actuating members 26, thereby not effecting the poise of the oscillating beams.

In this action the opposite end of the slot assumed a coincident relation with the extremity of the actuating member.

When the displacement of the solenoid changed the setting of the valve 51 and directed air to the lower portion of the cylinder 58, air pressure also passed through the pipe 77 into the storage reservoir 74. The flow of air into said reservoir was controlled by the valve 77'. The pressure on the fluid in the reservoir 74 causes same to rise through the pipe 75 and flow into the receptacle 8, the flow of the fluid being controlled by the petcock 76. The air pressure in the reservoir 74 will rise in the tube 77 and lift the ball valve 7 7 until the ball closes the opening 77". The pressure in the reservoir and tube 77 will be sufficient to keep the valve 77 closed thereby preventing the liquid. which is now running in the receptacle 8, from flowing out through the tube 74. Liquid will continue to fill the receptacle 8 until a suflicient weight has accumulated to overcome the hold of the sprin cli 's 10 upon the core rod grooves 13. su cient weight will cause the receptacle to subject the oscillating members to downward displacement. This will draw the core from the solenoid, the contact members 21 and 22 will again be engaged, the valve 51 will be returned to normal position and all parts will assume their normal positions as shown in the drawings. When the position of the valve 51 was returned to normal through the agency of the weight of the receptacle 8, actuating arm 26 and other correlated parts the pressure lines 73 and 71 were continuing the pressure into the receptacle 28. It is seen how this action continues until the downward displacement of the receptacle 8 causes the air motor 58 to return the valve 63 to normal position, cuts oil' the pressure in the well and again alines the well with the exhausting line 72.

When the weight of the receptacle 8 changed the position of the valve 51 and adapted it to exhaust the pressure contained in the lower portion of the air motor, through the pipe 69. the air pressure that had accumulated in the storage tank 7 4 also exhausted through the pipes 77 and 69.'

The pressure in the storage tank being relieved, allowed the liquid to return from the receptacle 8 through the tube 77 to the storage tank. This relief of the weight of liquid in the receptacle 8 allowed the counter balance 9 to return the oscillating beams to normal position as shown in the drawings. It is seen how th volume of flow of water from the reservoir 74 tothe receptacle 8 can be controlled by thepetcock 7 6.

The length of the time of the pumping period is dependentupon the time required to fill the receptacle 8.

While the pipe 73 was directing its pressure into the well, a large volume of compressed air necessarily accumulated in the well. When the air motor returned the valve 63 to its normal position and the pipe 71 was alined with the pipe 72, the accumulated pressure in the well then exhausted back through the pipe 71 to the valve 63, through the passages 83, 66 and 82 into the pipe 72. The pressure rushed through the pipe 72 and entered the ram device. The sudden pressure exerted on the bottom of the ram plunger 58 caused it to be upwardly displaced, as shown in Fig. 14. This action alined the passages 88 and 89 with the check valve 85; at the same time the passage 90 was closed by the wall of the cylinder, this caused the pressure to exhaust from the well,

where it had accumulated, to atmosphere.

When the pressure has spent its force through. the ram to atmosphere, the ram plunger will gravitate to normal position as shown in Fig. 1. This immediately alines the passages 88 and 90 with the exhaust supply line 72". The passage 89 no longer communicates to atmosphere. The line 72 and mediately begin the suction upon the well.

This slow suction acting through the receptacle and strainer pipe promotes and hastens the flow of oil into the well.

When the oil was discharged from the well the air confined and compressed in the pressure drum 34 and pipe 33 was relieved, this allowed the pressure register 35 to return to normal position, which action raised the dip rods 40 from the mercury cups 50, thereby opening the circuit B.

It will be noticed that the circuit B was opened twice during the operation, once at the contact device 21 and 22, and again at the mercury cups when the mechanism returned to normal position. The circuit B is now open in one place only, and in position to perform its function of control over the timing device when the oil has risen sufliciently high in the receptacle to cause the pressure register to again close said circuit B.

The invention is presented as including all such modifications and changes as properly come within the scope of the following claims.

Having described the construction, operation and function of this invention, 1- claim the'following on said invention:

1. In a timer for pumping systems, a pipe line directed into the well, a three way valve embodied in the pipe, pressure and vacuum supply lines communicating with the valve, an automatic ram exhauster correlated with the vacuum supply, a second pipe disposed in the well, a pressure circuit closer embodied in the pipe, an electrical circuit correlated with the circuit closer, a solenoid included in the circuit, an

armature embodied in the solenoid, a valve correlated with the armature and establishing a control over the first mentioned valve.

2. In a timer device for pumping sys-' tems, a pipe line directed into the well, a three way valve embodied in the pipe line, an air motor arranged to control the valve, a second pipe line directed into the well, a pressure drum carried on the lower extremity of the pipe, a pressure register carried on the upper end of the pipe, an electrical circuit embodied in the system and correlated with the pressure register, a solenoid included in the circuit, an armature correlated with and establishing a control over the valve.

3. In a timing system for automatic pumping systems, a pipe line directed into a well, a three way valve included in the line, a pressure supply connected with the valve, a vacuum supplying element connected with the valve, an exhaust ram correlated with the vacuum supply, an air motor correlated with the valve, a solenoid. sliding core and an electrical circuit establishing a control over the motor, a second pipe line directed into the well and carrying on its lower extremity a pressure drum, a pressure register casing embodied in the last mentioned pipe, an expansion vane mounted in the casing and communicating with the pipe, a movable arm pivoted in the casing, a movable relation established between the expansion vane and pivoted arm, screws disposed about the periphery of the casing and adapted to limit the displacement of the expansion vane, a pair of dip rods carried by the movable arm, a pair of mercury cups embodied in the circuit and arranged to receive the dip rods, the last mentioned elements forming a control over the air motor.

4. In a timing system for automatic pumping systems, a pipe line communicating with a well, a three way valve embodied in the pipe line, a pressure supply connected with the valve, a continuous exhausting element connected with the valve, an exhaust ram correlated with the exhausting element, an air motor correlated with the three way valve, a second three way valve embodied in the system, pipe connection establishing a communication between the second mentioned valve and air motor, an electrical circuit, a solenoid embodied in the circuit, an armature embodied in the solenoid and having a controlling relation over the last mentioned valve, a pair of mercury contact cups embodied in the circuit; a second pipe cominunicating with the well, a pressure drum carried on a pipe in a well, a pressure register communicating with the upper extremity of the pipe, a pair of dip rods carried by the pressure register and adapted to close the circuit.

5. In a timing system for automatic pumping systems, a pipe line communicatingwith a well, a three way valve embodied in the pipe line, a pressure supply connected with the valve, :1 continuous exhausting element connected with the valve, an exhaust ram correlated with the exhausting element, an air motor correlated with the three Way valve, :1 second three way valve embodied in the system, an oscillating structure arranged adjacent to the second mentioned valve, a fluid receptacle and counter balance Weight mounted upon the oscillating structure, an actuating arm carried by the oscillating structure, an electrical circuit embodying a solenoid and sliding core correlated with the second named valve, the actuating member of the oscillating structure adapted to be retained in a slot carried by the sliding core, a storage reservoir embodied in the mechanism and having a discharge and receptive communication with the receptacle, a pressure discharge and pressure intake connection with pressure supply, a second pipe line communication established with the well, means correlated with said second pipe line to close the circuit of the system when the oil rises in the well and means provided for automatically opening the electrical circuit after said circuit has been closed and the pumping operation started.

6. In a timing mechanism for directing an alternate pressure and vacuum into an oil well, a pair of pivoted oscillating beams, a pair of vertical struts pivoted to the beams, a receptacle and counter weight carried by the struts, a storage reservoir embodied in the device, a pipe cominunicating with the receptacle, a line communicating the receptacle with the storage reservoir, an actuating member depending from the pivoted beams, an air pipe line directed into the well, a three-way valve embodied in 'the line, a premure supply line communicating with the valve, a pressure supply line communicating with the storage reservoir, a vacuum supply line' communicating with the valve, a tubular casing embodied in the vacuum supply line, a sliding ram or plunger retained in the casing, air passages disposed through the ram, an air motor correlated with the valve, a second three way valve embodied in the system and having connection with the air motor, a depending control arm carried by the second mentioned valve, a second pipe embodied in the system and communicating with the well, a pressure drum carried by the lower extremity of said pipe, a pressure register embodied in the pipe, a dip rod carried by the pressure register, an electrical circuit embodied in the system, a contact cup included in the circuit and adapted to register with the dip rod, a solenoid included in the circuit, a solenoid core slidably carried by the solenoid, an elongated slot embodied in the sliding core, the, depending actuating member previously referred to having its lower extremity confined in the 'slot, the control arm of the second valve embodied in the system having its lower extremity loosely retained in an aperture of the said solenoid core, the solenoid core projecting for a considerable length and having its extremity slidably retained in a fixed tube, the tube having an elongated slot, a second tube slidably carried by the fixed tube, an elongated slot in the second mentioned tube and adapted to register with the slot of the first tube, a pin carried by the slidable core and projecting through the slots of the tubes, a contact member of the circuit mentioned carried in fixed relation with the fixed tube, an insulated contact member carried by the sliding tube and adapted to register with the previously mentioned contact member.

7. In an automatic timing mechanism for pumping systems, the combination of a pipe line directed into a well, a control valve included in the pipe line, a pressure supply line communicated with the valve, a vacuum supply line communicated with the valve, an automatic ram device included in the vacuum line and adapted to exhaust accumulated pressure from the well and automatically aline the well with the said vacuum line, an air motor adapted to control the valve, an electrical circuit and an armature, a second pipe communieating with the well, a pressure register circuit closer embodied in said second pipe and correlated with the circuit, the armature adapted to control the air motorand means correlated with the armature for opening the electrical circuit after the system has been put in operation.

8. In a timing mechanism for pumps,

a pipe line extending to the lower portion of the well, a pressure drum carried on the lower extremity of the pipe, a pressure pipe line communicating with the lower portion of the well, a control valve embodied in the pressure line and means provided to allow the accumulated pressure to escape from the pressure line and to connect the pressure line with a source of vacuum after said pressure in the well has been exhausted.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM M. STEPHENSON. Witnesses;

J. C. LEDBETTER, JAB. K. NAYLOB. 

